More Information:Minus iconIcon indicating subtraction, or that the element can be closed.Plus IconIcon indicating addition, or that the element can be opened.Arrow (down) icon.An arrow icon, usually indicating that the containing element can be opened and closed.

Therapies, Classes & WorkshopsMinus iconIcon indicating subtraction, or that the element can be closed.Plus IconIcon indicating addition, or that the element can be opened.Arrow (down) icon.An arrow icon, usually indicating that the containing element can be opened and closed.

About Herbs, Botanicals & Other ProductsMinus iconIcon indicating subtraction, or that the element can be closed.Plus IconIcon indicating addition, or that the element can be opened.Arrow (down) icon.An arrow icon, usually indicating that the containing element can be opened and closed.

MultimediaMinus iconIcon indicating subtraction, or that the element can be closed.Plus IconIcon indicating addition, or that the element can be opened.Arrow (down) icon.An arrow icon, usually indicating that the containing element can be opened and closed.

Disclaimer

This Web site — Information About Herbs, Botanicals and Other Products — is for general health information only. This Web site is not to be used as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment of any health condition or problem. Users of this Web site should not rely on information provided on this Web site for their own health problems. Any questions regarding your own health should be addressed to your own physician or other healthcare provider.

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center makes no warranties nor express or implied representations whatsoever regarding the accuracy, completeness, timeliness, comparative or controversial nature, or usefulness of any information contained or referenced on this Web site. Memorial Sloan Kettering does not assume any risk whatsoever for your use of this website or the information contained herein. Health-related information changes frequently and therefore information contained on this Web site may be outdated, incomplete or incorrect. Statements made about products have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Use of this Web site does not create an expressed or implied physician-patient relationship.

Memorial Sloan Kettering does not record specific website user information and does not contact users of this website. You are hereby advised to consult with a physician or other professional health-care provider prior to making any decisions, or undertaking any actions or not undertaking any actions related to any health care problem or issue you might have at any time, now or in the future. In using this website you agree that neither Memorial Sloan Kettering nor any other party is or will be liable or otherwise responsible for any decision made or any action taken or any action not taken due to your use of any information presented at this website.

For Patients & Caregivers

How It WorksMinus iconIcon indicating subtraction, or that the element can be closed.Plus IconIcon indicating addition, or that the element can be opened.Arrow (down) icon.An arrow icon, usually indicating that the containing element can be opened and closed.

Royal jelly may benefit those with high cholesterol, but it has not been shown to treat cancer in humans.

Royal jelly is a viscous substance secreted by worker bees that makes up the essential food for queen bees and their larvae. It is consumed as a health food around the world. Royal jelly has been shown to lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol levels, and reduce inflammation in laboratory and animal studies. It has not been studied as a cancer treatment in humans. Royal jelly has weak estrogenic activity and should not be used by patients with hormone-sensitive cancer.

Purported UsesMinus iconIcon indicating subtraction, or that the element can be closed.Plus IconIcon indicating addition, or that the element can be opened.Arrow (down) icon.An arrow icon, usually indicating that the containing element can be opened and closed.

Cholesterol management
Some research evidence supports its use for high cholesterol levels.

Male infertility
One study suggests its use for male infertility, but more large-scale clinical trials are needed to confirm this effect.

Diabetes
A few studies suggest it may improve some type 2 diabetes markers in both men and women. Confirmatory studies are needed.

Mucositis
In patients receiving radiotherapy and chemotherapy, royal jelly along with standard mouthwash therapy improved symptoms of oral mucositis and healing time. Confirmatory studies are needed.

Do Not Take IfMinus iconIcon indicating subtraction, or that the element can be closed.Plus IconIcon indicating addition, or that the element can be opened.Arrow (down) icon.An arrow icon, usually indicating that the containing element can be opened and closed.

You have estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer: Royal jelly can stimulate growth of cancer cells.

You are taking blood thinners such as warfarin: Royal jelly can enhance its effects.

You are taking cholesterol-lowering medications: Theoretically, royal jelly may have additive effects.

Side EffectsMinus iconIcon indicating subtraction, or that the element can be closed.Plus IconIcon indicating addition, or that the element can be opened.Arrow (down) icon.An arrow icon, usually indicating that the containing element can be opened and closed.

Anecdotal weight gain, facial rash and gastrointestinal discomfort.

Several cases of anaphylaxis, asthma, and hemorrhagic colitis have been reported with use of royal jelly.

Oral high-dose royal jelly for 4 weeks adversely affected the reproductive system of pubescent male rats. The severity of these effects lessened after stopping royal jelly administration.

For Healthcare Professionals

Clinical SummaryMinus iconIcon indicating subtraction, or that the element can be closed.Plus IconIcon indicating addition, or that the element can be opened.Arrow (down) icon.An arrow icon, usually indicating that the containing element can be opened and closed.

Royal jelly is a viscous substance secreted by worker bees and constitutes the essential food for queen bees and their larvae. It is consumed as a health food around the world. It demonstrated vasodilatory, hypotensive, antihypercholesterolemic, antitumor, anti-inflammatory, and estrogenic effects (1)(3)(9), although its affinity for estrogen receptors is weaker compared with diethylstilbestrol (3). Animal studies indicate that oral administration of royal jelly may be effective against colitis (10)(22) and improve testosterone levels (19).

Clinical studies have demonstrated that royal jelly lowered total serum lipid levels and total serum cholesterol in individuals with moderately elevated cholesterol levels (5), and improved erythropoiesis, glucose tolerance and mental health in healthy subjects (20). Royal jelly also improved type 2 diabetes markers in both men and women (23)(24), but was not found to be effective in healing diabetic foot ulcers (25).

Mid-cycle pericoital intravaginal applications of a combination of Egyptian bee honey and royal jelly improved infertility due to idiopathic asthenozoospermia (2). Royal jelly also improved premenstrual (26) and menopausal symptoms (6). In a combination supplement, it appeared to benefit patients with mild cognitive impairment (27). In human glioblastoma multiforme cells, royal jelly increased the cytotoxic activity of temozolomide (28). It also inhibited growth-promoting effects from the environmental estrogen bisphenol A (BPA) on human breast cancer MCF-7 cells in vitro, but did not have this inhibiting effect in the absence of BPA (7). However, royal jelly was also shown to stimulate MCF-7 cell proliferation which was reversed by tamoxifen (3). In patients receiving radiotherapy and chemotherapy, royal jelly along with standard mouthwash therapy improved symptoms of oral mucositis and healing time (29). Another study with a very small sample size also suggests benefit with topical royal jelly in head and neck cancer patients (30).

Because royal jelly has estrogenic effects, women with estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer should avoid this product. Prostate cancer patients should also use caution as royal jelly increased testosterone levels in animal studies.

Purported UsesMinus iconIcon indicating subtraction, or that the element can be closed.Plus IconIcon indicating addition, or that the element can be opened.Arrow (down) icon.An arrow icon, usually indicating that the containing element can be opened and closed.

Menopausal symptoms

Osteoporosis

Cholesterol management

Male infertility

Diabetes

Mucositis

Mechanism of ActionMinus iconIcon indicating subtraction, or that the element can be closed.Plus IconIcon indicating addition, or that the element can be opened.Arrow (down) icon.An arrow icon, usually indicating that the containing element can be opened and closed.

Royal jelly stimulated the production of type 1 collagen and other bone formation activities through its action on osteoblasts (4). In animal models, anti-inflammatory effects with royal jelly were likely mediated by CD3-, CD5-, CD8- and CD45-positive T-cell immune responses (22). Protective effects against taxol-induced testicular damage were attributed to improved antioxidant status and E2f1 transcription factor upregulation (31).

Various mechanisms for cholesterol-lowering effects have been posited (5). Royal jelly may decrease reabsorption of cholesterol in the GI tract and increase its excretion in the bile due to the presence of phytosterols, mainly B-sitosterol. Another explanation offered is that royal jelly suppresses hepatic cholesterol synthesis (8).

Compounds identified in royal jelly exhibit weak estrogenic activity, but also inhibit binding of estradiol to estrogen receptor beta (4).

ContraindicationsMinus iconIcon indicating subtraction, or that the element can be closed.Plus IconIcon indicating addition, or that the element can be opened.Arrow (down) icon.An arrow icon, usually indicating that the containing element can be opened and closed.

Women with estrogen-receptor positive breast cancer should avoid products containing royal jelly as they may stimulate the cancer.

Adverse ReactionsMinus iconIcon indicating subtraction, or that the element can be closed.Plus IconIcon indicating addition, or that the element can be opened.Arrow (down) icon.An arrow icon, usually indicating that the containing element can be opened and closed.

Oral high-dose royal jelly for 4 weeks adversely affected the reproductive system of pubescent male rats. These effects decreased with cessation of administration (21).

Herb-Drug InteractionsMinus iconIcon indicating subtraction, or that the element can be closed.Plus IconIcon indicating addition, or that the element can be opened.Arrow (down) icon.An arrow icon, usually indicating that the containing element can be opened and closed.

Cholesterol-lowering medications: Theoretically, royal jelly may have additive effects (5).

Temozolomide: Royal jelly may increase the cytotoxic effect of temozolomide (28).

Herb Lab InteractionsMinus iconIcon indicating subtraction, or that the element can be closed.Plus IconIcon indicating addition, or that the element can be opened.Arrow (down) icon.An arrow icon, usually indicating that the containing element can be opened and closed.

Royal jelly lowered both the total and LDL cholesterol levels in humans (5).

Royal jelly increased prothrombin time and fibrinolytic activity in rats (8).

Dosage (OneMSK Only)Minus iconIcon indicating subtraction, or that the element can be closed.Plus IconIcon indicating addition, or that the element can be opened.Arrow (down) icon.An arrow icon, usually indicating that the containing element can be opened and closed.

ReferencesMinus iconIcon indicating subtraction, or that the element can be closed.Plus IconIcon indicating addition, or that the element can be opened.Arrow (down) icon.An arrow icon, usually indicating that the containing element can be opened and closed.

Last Updated

For Adult PatientsMinus iconIcon indicating subtraction, or that the element can be closed.Plus IconIcon indicating addition, or that the element can be opened.Arrow (down) icon.An arrow icon, usually indicating that the containing element can be opened and closed.

For Child & Teen PatientsMinus iconIcon indicating subtraction, or that the element can be closed.Plus IconIcon indicating addition, or that the element can be opened.Arrow (down) icon.An arrow icon, usually indicating that the containing element can be opened and closed.

For Healthcare ProfessionalsMinus iconIcon indicating subtraction, or that the element can be closed.Plus IconIcon indicating addition, or that the element can be opened.Arrow (down) icon.An arrow icon, usually indicating that the containing element can be opened and closed.

For Research ScientistsMinus iconIcon indicating subtraction, or that the element can be closed.Plus IconIcon indicating addition, or that the element can be opened.Arrow (down) icon.An arrow icon, usually indicating that the containing element can be opened and closed.